Dressing For Success: The Unspoken Rules

Posted: 09/06/2015 by
Cox Purtell

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string(3108) "Between interviewing for my legal roles, visiting clients and seeing my colleagues' candidates pass through reception on a daily basis, I lose count of how many professionals I meet every week.
However you can tell instantly when someone ‘gets it’ and understands just how important personal appearance is - and it leaves a lasting impression.
By dressing tastefully and looking neat, you are projecting the following:

And the beauty of the above is that you don’t actually have to say any of those qualities out loud…

Your appearance did it for you!

Here’s how to make an instant and lasting effect on your potential employer:
Lengths & Cuts
Your matching suit should fit well – not too tight, not too big. If you’re wearing trousers they should sit nicely on your shoes; with an even distance between your ankle and the sole of your shoe.
Men – Your shirt should be buttoned up to the top with a complementary tie that should just touch your belt line (yes, you will be wearing a belt).
Ladies – No low cut tops or skirts more than 10cm above your knee. Remember to wear stockings if you choose a skirt!
Colours & Textures
White, black and pastel colours should be your go to’s. Steer clear of bright colours and bold prints – they date quickly and can often distract the human eye.
Men – Keep to cotton shirts and wool suits. Your shirt and tie should be minimal fuss and single coloured.
Ladies – Nothing that is too figure hugging or creases/misshapes easily.
Shoes & Accessories
Your shoes should be conservative and relatively plain; leather black shoes with a fresh polish will ensure you look immaculate.
Again, no bright colours and please avoid suede or patent shoes. Any jewellery should be kept to a minimum.
Men – Check your heels and make sure they haven’t worn down. You will be wearing matching cufflinks and matching socks that are the colour black.
Ladies – Keep your heel no more than 3-4 inches tall and ensure your heel hasn’t worn down or fallen off - there is nothing more obvious than a clicky metal heel when walking across your potential employers bright, shiny tiles! Your makeup should be kept to a natural style and hair in a neat up do. Only stud earrings and delicate jewellery should be worn.
By ticking all of the above boxes and having subtle style means you are engaging a wider audience who are more likely to relate and take you seriously when you present well.
Keep it simple, it’s as simple as that."
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Between interviewing for my legal roles, visiting clients and seeing my colleagues’ candidates pass through reception on a daily basis, I lose count of how many professionals I meet every week.

However you can tell instantly when someone ‘gets it’ and understands just how important personal appearance is – and it leaves a lasting impression.

By dressing tastefully and looking neat, you are projecting the following:

Your shoes should be conservative and relatively plain; leather black shoes with a fresh polish will ensure you look immaculate.

Again, no bright colours and please avoid suede or patent shoes. Any jewellery should be kept to a minimum.

Men – Check your heels and make sure they haven’t worn down. You will be wearing matching cufflinks and matching socks that are the colour black.

Ladies – Keep your heel no more than 3-4 inches tall and ensure your heel hasn’t worn down or fallen off – there is nothing more obvious than a clicky metal heel when walking across your potential employers bright, shiny tiles! Your makeup should be kept to a natural style and hair in a neat up do. Only stud earrings and delicate jewellery should be worn.

By ticking all of the above boxes and having subtle style means you are engaging a wider audience who are more likely to relate and take you seriously when you present well.

Thanks for your comment, Farrukh. They say the interviewer knows within 30 seconds of meeting someone whether the candidate will be right for the job or not, appearance has a lot to do with that. You’re doing a good thing in your chosen career!